World Factbook
Spratly Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
5 sq km less than
note
note: includes over 100 islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) in the central South China Sea
water
0 sq km
total
5 sq km less than
Climate
tropical
Terrain
small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs
Land use
other
100% (2018 est.)
Location
Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Coastline
926 km
Elevation
lowest point
South China Sea 0 m
highest point
unnamed location on Southwest Cay 6 m
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Natural hazards
typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard
Geography - note
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Natural resources
fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Area - comparative
land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
8 38 N, 111 55 E